TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Memorial Day has become synonymous with travel, backyard barbecues, and sitting by the pool. But none of those are the reason this holiday was established.
Today is a time for our nation to reflect and remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that we have today.
Veterans spoke with our Stephanie Rank about what they are remembering on this Memorial Day.
"It's something we do once a year, but it's the most important thing that we do," said Oscar Johnson, a Vietnam Veteran.
Honoring those who were lost, that's what Memorial Day means for veterans Gerald Blaisdell and Johnson.
"You got to think about all the people that passed and got killed in all the wars and I was one of the survivors that didn't and a lot of other people didn't too," said Blaisdell.
Blaisdell and Johnson say by continuing to talk about what they experienced, it will keep the memories of those who died, alive.
"It's something that I always want to remember. I wouldn't have trade my chance to experience this for anything else," said Johnson.
Proving that even Memorial Day, a somber day, we can remember and reflect on those who died making the greatest sacrifice.
The U.S. Department of Defense says more than 47,000 U.S. Troops died in battle during the Vietnam War.
